CALZAGHE MINT made it three wins from three starts as he followed up his heat success with a fluent win in Friday’s Arena Racing Company Puppy Trophy Final at Sunderland.

Trained by Ted Soppitt for John Proctor and Daryl Bear, the May 2018 son of Droopys Buick and Newinn Expert was also in front after trapping smartly and was never headed in the GBGB Category Two event as he crossed the line two and a half lengths clear of Killie Phantom (Robert Thomson), clocking 27.00sec for the 450m.

“I’m delighted with him,” said Soppitt, who also has a share in the youngster. “He was previously owned by Carl Roberts, who we sadly lost last year. Carl loved his dogs and his ‘Calzaghe’ prefix is among the best known in the game. It’s great that it can live on – and we’re excited about Calzaghe Mint.

“He actually came to us at 11 months ago and I schooled him myself,” added the Newcastle handler. “But he had a few injuries and I actually thought he was unlikely to make the track at one point, but he came through that and has not looked back. I’d like to think he was a Derby dog, with the Monmore Puppy Derby before then.”

Soppitt has recently taken in Racing Post Juvenile entry Waikiki Lad for the Proctor and Bear ownership partnership. “Daryl and John have come into the kennel and, along with John Monk, we’ve a small team of nice dogs. I have to say Waikiki Lad came in from Nathan (Hunt) and Philip (Simmonds) in fantastic condition.

“We trialled him at Newcastle on Thursday and he did a very fast split – a 4.45sec – and hopefully that early pace gives him plenty of chance in his races. Either way, I’m hoping 2020 is better than 2019 – it really was a write-off year, losing Carl and Chris Brooks. Both were great owners of mine and, more importantly, great guys.

“Hopefully things go better this year – and Friday certainly helps,” added Soppitt. “Calzaghe Mint comes from a good litter – his brother Newinn Taylor has won all of his seven races including a Shelbourne final. It’s good to see offspring of Droopys Buick doing so well – he was a real champion for Angela (Harrison) and Jimmy (Wright).

“Well done to Sunderland and Arc for putting the competition on. We love open racing in this part of the world and hopefully a series of regular competitions for both Sunderland and Newcastle will continue under the Arc banner. They’ve shown their commitment by backing the Derby and taking over Nottingham.

“I’m sure I speak on behalf of owners and trainers in the north-east when wanting to see more opens at both tracks, perhaps on RPGTV too. Punters and bookmakers like the better quality of racing and these tracks suit different types of dogs but produce great racing. We’d love to see more of it.”